When acquiring a new pet, it’s essential to ensure that you have all the information you need to keep them happy and healthy. Doodles are some of the most popular types of dog on the market today, thanks to their vibrant personalities and adorable appearances.
But, there are subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) differences between the different kinds of Doodles and Poos. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the Swiss Doodle vs. the Bernedoodle.
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Bernedoodle vs. Swiss Doodle: At a Glance
We know that you probably want the information comparing a Swiss Doodle vs. a Bernedoodle as promptly as possible. To help with that, we’ve created this comparison table to give you all the essential basic information.
As you can see, while these two crosses have a lot in common genetically, there’s a fair amount of variation in size and temperament. Both of them are generally easy to train, and highly affectionate, but their energy levels and how outgoing they are can vary significantly.
Understanding Doodle and Poo Sizes
As you’re probably aware, Doodles and Poos are the result of a cross between a purebred Poodle and another breed. As a result, there are many different potential sizes.
Poodles come in three main sizes: toy, miniature, and standard. The toy reaches heights of up to 11 inches, miniature Poodles reach heights of up to 15 inches, and standard Poodles are over 15 inches in height.
In some cases, the second breed being used to create a Doodle may also have a range of different sizes, further enlarging the opportunity to create an array of different sizes. However, in most cases, the size of the Poodle is the determining factor in the size of the resulting Doodle.
This means that Doodles may be anything from tiny or toy, to mini, and even standard.
In the case of the Swiss Doodle, the size range is far more limited. This is because it is a cross of two F1 Doodles, instead of two purebred dogs.
Bernedoodle vs. Swiss Doodle: Bernedoodle Background
To help you fully understand the difference between the two dog types, let’s take a closer look at the details around Bernedoodles. As you’ve probably guessed, the Bernedoodle is a cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog (Sometimes called a Swiss Mountain Dog) and a Poodle. It is exactly 50% Poodle and 50% Bernese Mountain Dog.
Bernedoodle Personality
Bernedoodles are fun goofballs who love to play and have adventures with their family. Their high energy levels and playful natures combine to make them enjoyable companions.
They have great temperament, are incredibly gentle and can be very accepting of children, new pets, and new additions to the family. The key to having an open, accepting Bernedoodle is to start socializing them as early as possible.
Bernedoodles that haven’t had enough exposure to other animals and people outside of their families can be wary of strangers and new pets. A well-socialized Bernedoodle, on the other hand, will be open, accepting, and even loving.
Bernedoodle Health Challenges
Bernedoodles are relatively robust animals that don’t have as many potential health concerns as some breeds. However, they are susceptible to some issues that both parent breeds suffer from.
Some of the major health concerns that you may encounter with Bernedoodles include elbow and hip dysplasia, heart and eye problems, and rarer conditions like epilepsy.
Minor problems that aren’t uncommon in canines, including Bernedoodles, are things like eye infections, ear infections, skin conditions, and allergies.
Lifespan of a Bernedoodle
On average, Bernedoodles have a lifespan of between 12 and 14 years. The smaller types of Bernedoodles will generally live much longer than their larger counterparts, with average differences of as many as eight years having been recorded.
Bernedoodles Are Best For…
Bernedoodles are an excellent option for people who want a medium to large dog with a friendly, affable nature. They are high-energy animals, so you should only consider them if you’re willing to put in the time to exercise them daily.
Energy and Exercise for Bernedoodle
As mentioned, Bernedoodles have incredibly high energy levels. As a result, they also require a fair bit of exercise. It’s best to give your Bernedoodle at least an hour of exercise every day, though it doesn’t have to be one long session. You could do 30 minutes in the morning, and 30 in the evening, as an example.
Since Bernedoodles are also intelligent and highly trainable, they take well to organized events like doggy obstacle courses.
They require socialization, which will also take time, but once socialized they generally take to new people and animals with ease. This makes them a great option for families with active social lives or many pets.
Bernedoodle vs. Swiss Doodle: Swiss Doodles Background
Unlike most Doodles, the Swiss Doodle is a cross of crosses. It is the result of a cross between a F1 Aussiedoodle and a F1 Bernedoodle. Since both parent breeds are pure crosses, that means the Swiss Doodle is 50% Poodle, 25% Australian Shepherd, and 25% Bernese Mountain Dog.
Swiss Doodle Personality
The Swiss Doodle is similar in personality to many of the other Doodle types. However, they do tend to have much lower energy levels than most doodles.
As a result, their friendly, affectionate natures are sometimes more apparent. This is especially true in terms of cuddliness. Swiss Doodles are far more willing to spend time just cuddling and engaging in affectionate activities.
They also tend to be remarkably social, and get along well with children and other animals.
Lifespan of an Swiss Doodle
On average, you can expect a Swiss Doodle to live for around 11 to 15 years. However, with a balanced diet and good care, they may even outlive the average.
Swiss Doodles Are Best For…
If you’re looking for a friendly, loving companion that loves to cuddle and doesn’t have major exercise needs, the Swiss Doodle might be the right choice for you.
They’re excellent with small children and other pets, and don’t generally tend to be as weary of strangers as Bernedoodles might be. They’re highly trainable, and not any more prone to health issues than the other Doodles and Poos.
If you have a family with many pets, or small children, the Swiss Doodle is a fantastic option. They’re also brilliant for people who want a larger dog, but don’t have plenty of space.
Energy and Exercise for Swiss Doodle
Unlike most other Doodles, the Swiss Doodle has fairly low energy levels. This makes it an ideal option for apartment dwellers who don’t have an awful lot of time to exercise their dogs. They do quite well with 30 minutes of exercise each day.
If you were to take them for three 10-minute walks each day, Swiss Doodles would be more than content. They are highly trainable, so you could probably teach them games, tricks, and exercises. That would certainly be good for mental stimulation, but they don’t require such intensive measures in terms of their energy levels.
Swiss Doodle Health Challenges
As an ancestor of Poodles, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Australian Shepherds, Swiss Doodles may possibly suffer a range of different health conditions. That doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re prone to said health conditions. But, whenever preparing to acquire a new pet, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with potential issues.
In the case of the Swiss Doodle, some of the problems you may encounter include Dysplasia of the hips and elbows, heart problems, and eye problems. Other, less concerning but more common, issues include skin irritations, allergies, eye infections, and ear infections.
Animals that have been bred by breeders who practice genetic testing are less likely to have the more serious issues.
Bernedoodle Vs. Swiss Doodle: Which Breed is Right for You?
When you’re trying to decide between a Bernedoodle vs. a Swiss Doodle, there are a few questions you can ask yourself before making a final decision. Some of these include the following:
- How much space do you have? If you have plenty of space, then you could lean towards a Bernedoodle since they do tend to be more active. However, Swiss Doodles will also do well if given sufficient space.
- Do you want a dog that’s more active or more of a cuddle buddy? If you’re looking for a dog that can engage in many active pursuits with you, the Bernedoodle is best. If you’re looking for a dog that will cuddle with you while you watch movies, Swiss Doodles are the better option.
- Do you have, or expect to have, small children in the vicinity of your dog? Both of these dogs are great with children, but Swiss Doodles are a lot calmer, so they’re probably best for families with small children.
The great thing about Doodles and Poos is that most of them are trainable enough to adjust to their surroundings. Using the information in this article, you can easily pick which breed will be best for you and your family.
Sources
Tests for Bernedoodle – pawprintgenetics.com – Accessed 26/08/2024
